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Volatile Winter Swings Continue for Credit Managers’ Index

Those
hoping for a continued positive trajectory in the monthly Credit
Managers’ Index (CMI) upon its official release Friday will be in for a
disappointment. February’s reading puts the CMI more in line with where
the index was in a disappointing December than the triumphant rebound
that followed in January.

“It appears this will be another one of ‘those’ years. At least it is
starting out that way,” said Chris Kuehl, PhD, economist for the
National Association of Credit Management. “The burning question is, yet
again: which of these months is going to turn out to be the anomaly?”

The February numbers indicate weakness in a variety of areas. Some of
the particularly worrisome areas judging from the CMI statistics include
sales, amount of credit extended and dollar collections.

Manufacturing
looks to be predictable volatile right now, and predicting further
problems or a rebound for March and beyond is a difficult prospect at
present.
“Manufacturing is providing to be mysterious as the readings have been
volatile and unpredictable,” Kuehl said. “There has been much conjecture
regarding the impact of the winter, and analysts are mixed. Some are
blaming storms and the bitter cold for a general slowdown…this suggests
that the economy will improve when the weather does. The counter
assertion is that there are deeper issues and recovery will not be as
simple as turning the calendar pages.”

- NACM

The complete CMI report for February2013, available Friday at
www.nacm.org, will contain additional commentary, complete with tables
and graphs and individual data for the manufacturing and services
sectors. CMI archives may also be viewed on NACM’s website.

About NACM

As the advocate for business credit and financial management professionals NACM and its network of Partners take great pride in being the primary learning, knowledge, networking and information resource for commercial creditors nationwide. NACM membership begins with a local NACM partner. Join our network today!